Abstract
Arab Americans and others of Middle Eastern descent share health concerns with others who have personal or collective histories of trauma. For this reason, it is important to consider the various theories and models that have been utilized in the effort to better understand how to foster mental health and mental illness prevention and to effectively intervene when and where necessary. In this chapter, we address relevant historical and gender issues, ongoing global mental health initiatives, and the ethical standards that must be maintained to both conduct research and effectively engage in clinical practice with Americans of Arab and/or Middle Eastern ethnic backgrounds. School psychology holds promise for one way to implement prevention and intervention measures with youth. School psychologists as well as researchers and other clinicians working with individuals and families need to be attuned to how best to conduct culturally sensitive and competent assessments and interventions while also maintaining an active stance in cultural humility. Interventions at the community level including social services and prevention programs are highlighted in the chapter along with other forms and modalities of intervention such as telepsychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, brief narrative exposure therapy, trauma therapy, and family therapy. The need for the use of evidence-based mental health interventions with Americans of Arab and/or Middle Eastern ethnicity needs to be balanced with the need for local, culturally meaningful adaptations including during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Hakim-Larson, J., Hinch, C., Kandasamy, A.R. (2023). Mental Health in Arab Americans: Prevention and Interventions. In: Nassar, S.C., Ajrouch, K.J., Dallo, F.J., Hakim-Larson, J. (eds) Biopsychosocial Perspectives on Arab Americans. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28360-4_11
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